I need to get in better shape overall so that getting around in my dances isn't quite so exhausting! I have improved since September already so that is encouraging. I would like to make an effort to improve my basic stroking as well. Those things could go hand in hand I am sure! Also - I want to force myself to test a dance or 2.

I've lost a lot of weight this year that has really helped my skating, especially my jumps, and my spins are much faster as a result of the weightloss.

What I need to do now though, is go back to the basics, concentrate on knee bend and generating more power from each stroke. Work on all the basic field moves but trying to do them all with better edge control, more speed etc

Then try to add that speed to the jumps I have.

I think i've spent too much time getting technique back on jumps and adjusting as i've lost weight this year and not enough time on the basics so I look forward to that.

I need to start working on my harder jumps again (axels, 2sals and 2toes) since my knee is holding up well ever since I got back to regular training. Need to test adult gold MITF some time before the summer and then start working on novice moves (already passed intermediate MITF before the knee destruction). Have a few spins I'd like to improve on -laybacks are very Volchkova-like right now, without much back bend and flying camels also need tons of work.

I'm just happy to have ice time and be able to work on these things again, though .

I had a goal of passing at least 3 of 4 of my Gold Dances this year, but that's not happening... so...

* Complete my Standard track Gold Dance Test (Not give in and switch to just Adult, Adult Solo, or Solo in order to make it happen)
* Get Double Sal clean/consistent
* Get that beautiful back-camel-to-catchfoot-camel-to-back-layback-while-still-holding-free-leg position Jason Brown does, consistent and fast
* Get a consistent level 2 layback, so that I can put it into my free skate when the music demands it -- and work on being able to put the layback into spin combinations
* Earn a score of 30 + at adult sectionals in my free skate
* Earn a score of 30 + in my Free Skate(s) at adult nationals
* Place in the top 4 of the Paso portion of the adult gold solo dance at nationals (Viennese will be a wholllllllle another story )
* Break my personal best score FS of 33.69 anytime this season if possible
* Possibly test/pass the Senior Solo Free Dance test if time/money allows this year...

Stop over thinking things and get my brain in line? Yeah, that's not happening...

I guess mohawks and 3 turns? I have a mental block with mohawks. I can do them at the wall and just freeze away from the wall. Haven't started 3 turns yet, but I think I will next LTS session.

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Ha, I have this problem too. You'll be happy to know though that with enough time just forcing myself to do it I can do forward outside 3 turns and mohawks. Forward inside 3 turns are still on the mental block though. What I had to do was wean myself off the wall. Start with not touching the wall on the glide in and then reach out when you switch. Something like that.

My goals are to pass ISI freestyle 1 and 2. I can do parts of both, just not everything. Clearly my forward inside 3 turns have to get past my mental block though for that to happen. Ahaha. Still working on that. I will get it though!

Ha, I have this problem too. You'll be happy to know though that with enough time just forcing myself to do it I can do forward outside 3 turns and mohawks. Forward inside 3 turns are still on the mental block though. What I had to do was wean myself off the wall. Start with not touching the wall on the glide in and then reach out when you switch. Something like that.

My goals are to pass ISI freestyle 1 and 2. I can do parts of both, just not everything. Clearly my forward inside 3 turns have to get past my mental block though for that to happen. Ahaha. Still working on that. I will get it though!

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Glad I'm not alone with this! I don't know why mohawks are just so hard. And then I look a see little kids doing them easily on the first attempt... Grr.

I'm definitely going to start to work on not touch the wall for the forward glide and only touching the wall as I switch. I tried once or twice last time I skated, but then didn't. Next time I'll work more on that. Thanks for the tip.

I need to get in better shape overall so that getting around in my dances isn't quite so exhausting! I have improved since September already so that is encouraging. I would like to make an effort to improve my basic stroking as well. Those things could go hand in hand I am sure! Also - I want to force myself to test a dance or 2.

Click to expand...

I passed my Paso tonight! I also took my Kilian and DIDN'T pass it (a bit of a disaster actually - including me getting my toe pick caught in my pant leg and more) but just taking the tests was a big deal for me so I am happy! And now I just have one senior silver test to go!

I passed my Paso tonight! I also took my Kilian and DIDN'T pass it (a bit of a disaster actually - including me getting my toe pick caught in my pant leg and more) but just taking the tests was a big deal for me so I am happy! And now I just have one senior silver test to go!

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Congratulations and you're ahead of schedule, by the sounds of it...might be time to add to the list of goals .

I rarely make new year's resolutions because I rarely keep them. This year though, a friend gave me a gift certificate (as a Christmas present) for a skating rink near my home. After 20 years of private lessons, last year I stopped going skating. I have not skated in a year, although I kept saying how much I want to go back. My resolution now is to use the certificate, which is for two sessions. I think that is enough to get started again, and hopefully I will continue on.

My last dance is the Austrian Waltz. I got my first two diamond dances about 20 years ago, my third this past summer and hope to finish up in 2013.

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I've never seen anyone do the Austrian! Which 4 will you have done? Most people do rhumba, ravensburger, polka, and tango romantica. I've never seen the Golden waltz tested either. I want to get all 6!

And just an update - I landed my double axel on Sunday. Super excitedddd, so my goal of doing one before Christmas is accomplished.

For my Diamonds I will have the rhumba, rav, tango and the Austrian. I should have tested the Yankee 20 years ago when it was originally ready but it is just too quick. I know some of net Golden waltz because when they introduced those dances I had to learn them to perform them at a seminar. We only had time to learn half of the Golden. I might take the last two eventually. I have never seen anyone test the Golden waltz either.

I had a goal of passing at least 3 of 4 of my Gold Dances this year, but that's not happening... so...

* Complete my Standard track Gold Dance Test (Not give in and switch to just Adult, Adult Solo, or Solo in order to make it happen)
* Get Double Sal clean/consistent
* Get that beautiful back-camel-to-catchfoot-camel-to-back-layback-while-still-holding-free-leg position Jason Brown does, consistent and fast
* Get a consistent level 2 layback, so that I can put it into my free skate when the music demands it -- and work on being able to put the layback into spin combinations
* Earn a score of 30 + at adult sectionals in my free skate
* Earn a score of 30 + in my Free Skate(s) at adult nationals
* Place in the top 4 of the Paso portion of the adult gold solo dance at nationals (Viennese will be a wholllllllle another story )
* Break my personal best score FS of 33.69 anytime this season if possible
* Possibly test/pass the Senior Solo Free Dance test if time/money allows this year...

STILL WORKING ON:
* Complete my Standard track Gold Dance Test (Not give in and switch to just Adult, Adult Solo, or Solo in order to make it happen) (I passed Quickstep and Viennese in April, and Argentine is around the corner).
* Get Double Sal clean/consistent
* Get that beautiful back-camel-to-catchfoot-camel-to-back-layback-while-still-holding-free-leg position Jason Brown does, consistent and fast
* Get a consistent level 2 layback, so that I can put it into my free skate when the music demands it -- and work on being able to put the layback into spin combinations
* Possibly test/pass the Senior Solo Free Dance test if time/money allows this year...

NOT MET:
* Place in the top 4 of the Paso portion of the adult gold solo dance at nationals (Viennese will be a wholllllllle another story ) ... I placed 5th. Oh well. Close!

Stop over thinking things and get my brain in line? Yeah, that's not happening...

I guess mohawks and 3 turns? I have a mental block with mohawks. I can do them at the wall and just freeze away from the wall. Haven't started 3 turns yet, but I think I will next LTS session.

Click to expand...

So I finally figured out mohawks! They're not great all the time and I haven't been practicing them lately (oops...), but I can do them. I also have my forward outside and forward inside 3 turns as well! The inside 3s were another mental struggle, but I finally got them. I managed to pass gamma and delta so my new goal is freestyle 1. I'm in a weird, level-less place of "freestyle prep" right now so...